CASHING CHECKS with Jim Morrison (Redbat Books Pacific Northwest Writers) Paperback – October 31, 2023

Brilliant poems--this poet's wild imagination appears in a second book about rock star's visitation with her persona. (Note--this is narrative poetry. No, the author didn't actually know--or meet the rock star Jim Morrison.

I was thrilled to receive a print copy of Cashing Checks with Jim Morrison, by Lindsay Martin-Bowen. The title alone, was enough to peak my interest, and lend anticipation as to what I could expect within its covers. All opinions stated here are my own.This collection of poems is all about hanging out, and philosphizing with the spirit of the late, great, Jim Morrison. I was amazed by the way the author captured the voice of Morrison in many of the poems, enough to let me believe briefly that maybe the author truly does converse with the dead musician. Included are poems that serve as social commentaries on life and love, on the state of the world today, and on possible futures; topics which every one of us can relate to.

I don’t read enough poetry and most of us have lost the art of writing it except when life pushes to the extremes and past our boundaries when we can see a new world for as long as those boundaries are expanded. One way we can push ourselves beyond those boundaries is poetry and Lindsey Martin-Bowen delivers that in Cashing Checks with Jim Morrison.Each of her poems is an explosion of color crystalizing our moments of experience into fine jewels. Each section of Cashing Checks has its own identity with some poems having the gravity associated with poetry while others careen towards whimsy and an alluring sense of humor. The final section, Reflections (Upon Jim Morrison’s Return) resurrects Jim Morrison as a traveling companion (Martin-Bowen’s previous Crossing Kansas with Jim Morrison) exploring the world of the southwest through Greek mythology and Native American lore and the perspective of Jim Morrison.Poetry is the fine art of literature each word should be painted thickly with meaning. I would think Jim Morrison would consider this “pure poetry”, yet it is different than his “ticking off the possibilities” while remaining true to his use of words that open the doors of possibilities within ourselves. Jim Morrison famously used psychedelics to expand his consciousness but here Martin-Bowen’s words are the psychedelic that lead us through the trip of experiencing life with Jim Morrison as our guide.You don’t have to be a Doors fan or even a Jim Morrison fan, just someone willing to expand their horizons and see the world differently, if even for a little while.

Once again, Lindsey Martin-Bowen has delivered a satisfying book of poems full of Greek characters such as Antigone, Bathsheba, Persephone, Narcissus and Adonis, nods to a number of her favorite poets and artists and their styles, her trademark surreal frenzies and tankas, and American culture adventures with Jim Morrison. The book is fun and witty, and a delightful read.